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About Eligible Expenses for a Health Savings Account

A health savings account, or HSA, is a a tax-free savings program used to cover medical expenses that your medical insurance provider would not otherwise pay. To qualify for an HSA, you must be enrolled in an HSA program as well as be enrolled in a high-deductable insurance plan. HSAs reduce taxable income and allow the member to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses with pre-tax funds. Individual HSAs will vary by provider, and eligible expenses may also vary.

  1. Vision Expenses

    • Traditionally, HSAs cover a large variety of vision expenses including the purchase of glasses and contact lenses. Vision exams and contact lens cleaning products are considered eligible expenses. Corrective laser eye surgery may also be covered.

    Prescrition and Non-Prescription Medications

    • Many prescription and over-the-counter medications are eligible HSA expenses. Prescription medications not normally covered by an individual's insurance plan, such as oral contraceptives and non-generic medications, as well as vitamin supplements and homeopathic medications, are also covered by most health savings accounts.

    Non-Traditional Care

    • Many forms of non-traditional medical care are considered eligible HSA expenses. Chiropractic treatment is covered by HSAs, as well as acupuncture treatment. A broad range of homeopathic treatments are also HSA-reimbursable expenses.

    Medical Care

    • HSAs cover many overages or caps on existing insurance plans. For example, if a health insurance plan has a $400 per year diagnostic benefit, and a patient requires advanced testing that costs $1600, HSA funds could be used to pay the remaining portion unpaid by medical insurance. HSAs-eligible expenses include diagnostic tests, prenatal classes and services, addiction and mental health treatment, surgical fees, smoker cessation programs, and devices such as wheelchairs and prostheses. HSA funds can also be used to pay for physician and specialist visits, hospital stays and rehabilitation services.

    Dental Care

    • Dental care services are eligible HSA expenses. Services include dental office visits, braces, dentures, and fluoride devices.

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